Founded in the United States through grassroots efforts in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the world’s most impactful environmental nonprofits. At the root of our mission, we work to create a world where people and nature can thrive.
Alongside TNC’s many global partners, our Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teams uncover innovative solutions that uplift the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice to effect positive change worldwide. Read on for highlights from our most exciting recent initiatives, and read our 2023 DEIJ Annual Report to learn more.
DEIJ Annual Report
Explore TNC’s DEIJ Annual Report here.
Now in its third year, the DEIJ Annual Report has defined its scope and purpose as a means of highlighting the people and projects driving TNC’s values across the organization.
Formatted to align with the four pillars of the DEIJ Compass, the report gathers firsthand accounts and progress updates from TNC staff and leadership, trustees, partners and others working collaboratively to advance accountability in conservation worldwide.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Compass
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice – DEIJ – Compass initiative outlines The Nature Conservancy’s commitments, aspirations and goals for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Like a compass, it is directional, not exact, and is meant to guide and inspire TNC team members toward a future of conservation with these values deeply embedded.
Within each of the Compass’s four dimensions—People, Approach, Voice and Resources—teams and individuals can explore specific goals and sample actions to adopt in their respective work, in turn creating a ripple effect to elevate DEIJ focus throughout the global organization.
Explore TNC’s DEIJ Compass here.
DEIJ Action Fund
In early 2022, TNC’s Global DEI Team created the DEIJ Action Fund to help global teams overcome barriers in their efforts to advance DEIJ values in conservation. In its inaugural year, the fund received 47 proposals and approved support for 10 DEIJ-focused projects. Now in its second year, the fund has awarded nine new projects, and organizers have begun creating comparative metrics to support transformative expansion in the coming years.
Explore TNC’s DEIJ Action Fund here.
Funded projects cover a wide range of geographies and focus areas, each measured by the recipient’s ability to demonstrate their vision for any of the following, but were not limited to:
- Improving DEIJ understanding, awareness and skill sets in a local context
- Addressing local, cultural, systemic issues in conservation
- Providing critical services and support to meet the prioritized needs of TNC staff and partner communities
- Proposed project outcomes and impact
Oak Tree Fellowship
Underpinned by TNC’s commitment to conserving vital lands and waters, the new Oak Tree Fellowship combines hands-on learning with powerful leadership and networking opportunities to empower diverse next-generation leaders in conservation.
Throughout this two-year program, paid fellows rotate through functional areas that can include, but are not limited to:
- Conservation
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Government and External Affairs
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Marketing and Communications
- Compliance and Ethics
- Development
- Science
Oak Tree Fellows
Through this reciprocal program, Oak Tree fellows contribute vital capacity and fresh perspective to help TNC teams meet a wide range of goals, while gaining management skills to advance their careers.
Explore TNC’s Oak Tree Fellowship here.
Visit nature.org to learn more about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice at The Nature Conservancy.